Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzales has ruled in favor of Toothless Wade Wagner and put a halt to the special election in Precinct 4036. (Sun) We’ll see if there is such a thing as an appeal in the wind, or if the recent resignation [...]]]> Couple of Norftown news items coursing through the Internet tubes:

Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzales has ruled in favor of Toothless Wade Wagner and put a halt to the special election in Precinct 4036. (Sun) We’ll see if there is such a thing as an appeal in the wind, or if the recent resignation of a city shylock, as a commentator suggests, is connected to the mess. Richard Cherchio apparently will challenge the ruling. (RJ)

State Senator, Congressional wannabe, and gun-nut John Lee doesn’t want to say the word “receivership,” but, apparently, can’t help himself while watching the former city of North Las Vegas creep closer to a state takeover. (Sun) But the scariest part of the tale is the thought of so-called Governor Brian Sandoval “monitoring the situation.” Still, this will give him the opportunity to raise new taxes while pretending Shari Buck forced him to.

Funeral services for Buck’s political career will be held in June, 2013.

This follows the court-ordered coup by the police union to undermine the meager threads of [...]]]> Putative North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck has officially given up on the city she helped to dismantle. The Mayor plans to sell off most city assets, including that unneeded monument to unbridled mayoral hubris, the new city hall. (RJ)

This follows the court-ordered coup by the police union to undermine the meager threads of democratic government still tenuously stitching together the fabric of civilization up in NorfTown. Police unions are forcing the city to keep six-figured fat-cat cop managers who haven’t been on a call for twenty years. The result? The so-called city they’ve sworn to protect will pretty much have to give up every other service the city provides, while selling off city buildings to cover the budget hole. So, what happens when there is no more city to protect, fellers? Off to a Station Casino security gig?

Yet, the union has plenty of bucks (pun intended) to mount an expensive ad campaign. They’ve placed–in case you missed them–a pricey billboard on every corner of Nor’Town and are cluttering up the Internets with drivel, which is supposed to be my job. One can only wonder if a pay-cut would hurt so much. But then again, think of those union dues. They must be pretty steep.

North Las Vegas Officials Bury Democracy

What do you call a state run by the police?

At this point, I suspect most Nor’Townies would prefer handing over the city to the control of the State of Nevada. It would mean higher taxes, as the state would be required to balance the budget, but at least there would be the sense of someone being in charge.

Meanwhile, democracy has completely collapsed in Norftown. Apparently, at least until the next court-ordered injunction brought about by a lawsuit from cash-strapped former mayor Mike Montandon, there will be a re-do of the Ward 4 city council vote in a precinct where a illegal vote was cast. Now, I’m not the only one to find it disquieting to learn that city officials who certify elections are, at the same time, contributing money, time, and spouses to the campaigns of folks in those same elections. If the Nevada Legislature wanted to do something useful, it would make it illegal for officials who contribute to candidates in elections they must officially certify. Everybody looked bad on this one. Anita Wood and Robert Eliason contributed cash to Richard Cherchio‘s campaign, while the mayor’s husband, Keith Buck, actually worked for Wade “Toothless” Wagner’s campaign. And, it seems, Wagner tried to cover it up on his campaign reports.

In a laughable response today, some members of the police union have filed a complaint with another toothless entity, the Nevada Ethics Commission, questioning the contributions of Wood and Eliason. (RJ) That’s not to say that the complaint is without merit. Everybody on the city council should recuse themselves from certifying elections at this point. Of course, that leaves us with the tiny detail that elections would be impossible in Norftown, but, then again, what’s so new about that?

But the most ridiculous outcome of this entire mess will be that Nortowners, assuming there will be any left, will even consider re-electing Shari Buck. Where else could someone who destroys a town be elected its mayor? I mean, besides in  emperor Nero’s police state?

“Let them investigate me,” Mayor Buck responded when told of a requests by Clark County Democrats to the Secretary of State to investigate her and her hubby’s, ahem, incestuous relationship with “Toothless” Wade’s campaign. “They’ll find nothing improper.” She protests.

Really? Even after a forensic check of the bedsheets?

Nor’Townie City Council recently voted to cut another 259 positions as the city faced, again, its ongoing hemorrhaging due to its profligacy in the past created by a boom town fantasy cooked up by short sighted developers and their oh, so accommodating politician pals. (Sun)

Naturally Mayor Buck [...]]]> Yes, the Apocalypse has visited Nor’Town. Again.

Nor’Townie City Council recently voted to cut another 259 positions as the city faced, again, its ongoing hemorrhaging due to its profligacy in the past created by a boom town fantasy cooked up by short sighted developers and their oh, so accommodating politician pals. (Sun)

Naturally Mayor Buck continued her policy of leading from the rear by being the only vote against the budget as she cowers in fear of the 2014 election and the prospect that her union pals might pull a Cherchio on her.

Meanwhile, as we wonder where all the money from the boom times went, the city and Clark County continue to fight over whether Nor’Town will ever get to turn on its brand spanking new Toilet Water Strainer that only cost $224 million.

Let’s see, how many cops is that?

Course the worst of it is that everybody is making fun of us for building a Toilet Water Strainer that doesn’t have a drain. The drain pipe was orginally to come from funds allocated to an entity called the Clean Water Coalition created by Las Vegas Valley government entities to fund projects like, well, like a pipe out of the Strainer. Now, however, folks like Clark County Commissioner and Sou’Town mayoral wannabe Chris Giunchigliani-Gray can’t wait to shut the thing down–in order to keep Nor’Town from taking the water contract from Nellis, apparently:

[Clark County} Commissioners also have expressed concerns that the city might try to take over treatment of sewage from Nellis Air Force Base, which would cost the county about $1.25 million a year in revenue.

The new plant is located outside North Las Vegas on land leased from the Air Force at Carey Avenue, south of the base. (RJ)

Nor'Town Mayor Shari Buck is threatening to start dumping Nor'Townie poop water down a flood ditch running through county land, and letting the courts decide if that'd be worse than the usual crap flowing down the channel.

But like I said, the worst of it is that Nor'Town is now the butt of every jokester in town.

Catch the comedic stylings of Tom "U-Haul" Collins:

Only half-joking, Collins offers this funding solution, "The Losee land and the gym would pay for the pipe. Oh my goodness, what a startling revelation."

The city spent more than $16 million on the Losee land, acreage initially selected for the facility and then abandoned in favor of the current site near Nellis Air Force Base. Another $25 million went to the gym currently under construction on the base as part of its lease agreement with the Air Force.

These expenses on top of design and construction contribute to the water reclamation facility's more than $315 million price tag.

"Why would you do something like that so impractically? It doesn't make sense, but it's done," said Collins. (KLAS)

And there we are in a "You Paid For It!" episode on channel 13. Twice. Granted that segment is a desperate attempt by a failing local TV station to create controversy of stuff like (shudder) paying for tenured professors at UNLV, but that just makes the ridicule all the worse.

Hey, channel 13, how about a peek at the other $142 million dollar gorilla in the city budget: the new city hall? Hey, "You Paid for That", too!

Gotta love the Las Vegas Business Press's glowing coverage of the new city hall. Did you know that "[t]hree hundred fifty city employees will work in the new building”? Really? Will there be that many left? The project will save $700,000 in energy costs, too, we’re told. Really? Is that compared with not having built anything at all and not having to run a nine-story building–one story bigger than Sou’Town’s mind you–at all?

Naturally, council and the manager will have their offices on the top floor. It will have a lovely view Nor’Town post-apocalyptic landscape/smoking ruins.

Still, I’m sure all Nor’Townies are thrilled to see that the Mayor has decided to shut up about the sewer pipe and has brought former Governor/Senator now revolving-door lobbyist Richard Bryan in to be spokester for the city. Of course, the city hands over thousands of dollars a year to his law firm for that service. Well worth a few lay offs for that.

And don’t even try to understand how it is that the city is filling seven vacancies in the Utilities department after announcing the 259 layoffs. They’re hiring customer service representatives–probably to take your calls when your toilet finally backs up.

Just recently the Nor’Townie council voted 4 to 1 to audit the fire department over overtime and sick leave. (RJ) This results partially from disturbing reports that Clark [...]]]> Most anybody can predict a vote at the North Las Vegas City Council these days. It’ll be 4 to 1, with Mayor Shari Buck in the minority.

Just recently the Nor’Townie council voted 4 to 1 to audit the fire department over overtime and sick leave. (RJ) This results partially from disturbing reports that Clark County fire fighters were abusing sick leave in order to help pad paychecks. (RJ)

The move was part of a decision by the council not to approve new contract concessions from the firefighters.

The Mayor, of course, has to placate the police and fire unions cuz public employees are pretty much the only people in vote in Nor’Town. Thus, she’s made herself into a Jim Gibbons/Brian Sandoval one-issue candidate: except instead of “no new taxes” Buck keeps saying “no public safety cuts”– even if those cuts come at a prison that is emptied of most of its inmates or from a fire department that may be abusing sick leave.

Now, I say there may be abuses. There is currently no proof of the sorts of shenanigans in Nor’Town that are surfacing in Clark County. However, the department is “burning” through the overtime at an, ahem, alarming rate. (RJ) The citizens of North Las Vegas have a right to know where their money is going, and council has an obligation to find that out. Indeed, it is disturbing that the don’t already know.

At some point, however, the Mayor may have to choose between her beloved public safety employees and the citizens of North Las Vegas. Presently, it is hardly clear which she would choose.

[Update: Man, I just noticed I'm in a rut when it comes to making up titles.]

Apparently, the online survey that gently urges you to pick between underfed grannies and overfed police union spokesters was posted without the knowledge of the majority of the North Las Vegas City Council, according to the Sun. The mayor [...]]]> Well, maybe it didn’t really happen that way, but it sure looks like it, don’t it?

Apparently, the online survey that gently urges you to pick between underfed grannies and overfed police union spokesters was posted without the knowledge of the majority of the North Las Vegas City Council, according to the Sun. The mayor seems to have been in desperate need of some kind of Web doodad to gab about at her taxpayer-funded, pre-election infomercial/town-hall since otherwise all she would have to talk about is the apocalyptic collapse of her city of choice.

But, what to put in the web survey whose funding remains mysterious and–given it was posted against the wishes of a majority of the city council–probably posted illegally? Why thank goodness the local rep of the police union just happens to live in the mayor’s manse. Surely he could come up with a few ideas to fill up some space on a public pandering webpage doodad.

Councilgal Wood, who thought the survey was misleading, summed up the questions on the survey this way:

“What are you willing to give up so police and fire unions don’t have to give up anything?”

“That’s a different question by far,” she said. “That’s what the people need to know…People don’t need to give things up” if the unions do.

Clearly the city missed an important opportunity. The right question to ask on such a survey is should the city spend your hard earned unemployment/short-sale/bankruptcy settlement check on personnel and computers whose sole purpose seems to be to make the mayor look good when times are bad?

Clearly, the survey says: no.

Unlike the city, I’m assuming the Air Force didn’t allow her to pilot the thing.

There have yet to be any reports of errant “Bunker Busters” showing up in the Mayor Pro Tem’s backyard, though I’m expecting one any minute.

Apologies go [...]]]> Herhonor Mayor Shari Buck was flying over Nor’Town in a F-15E last week.

Unlike the city, I’m assuming the Air Force didn’t allow her to pilot the thing.

There have yet to be any reports of errant “Bunker Busters” showing up in the Mayor Pro Tem’s backyard, though I’m expecting one any minute.

Apologies go out to Airman 1st Class Brett Clashman, for mucking up his photo…

Nor’Townie watchers will be especially interested [...]]]> As the recriminations from the last special budget meeting of the North Las Vegas City Council are still flying like a flock of Nor’Town pigeons fleeing a burning aviary, this Wednesday will feature yet another special meeting on the budget at 4:30pm, Weds, April 10th, down at city hall.

Nor’Townie watchers will be especially interested to see if members of city council are still speaking to one another. By all accounts, the April 1st meeting, where council voted 4-1 to layoff 204 people, tested the patience of council-members mightily. (Sun,RJ)

Indeed, the mayor, who took the easy way out and voted against the cuts, accused one of her colleagues of being “petulant” and throwing a “an adolescent temper tantrum.” (VN) This after Councilmember Robert Eliason–presumably the petulant adolescent in question–complained that the mayor had, after months of meetings over the budget mess, failed to offer an alternative to layoffs. He also reported being frustrated when, after casting her lone vote against the layoffs, she immediately gloated that the nay vote proved that her first priority was public safety, and, by implication, that other members of council tended to push it down the list a piece.

The mayor continued her diatribe over on Jon Ralston’s Face to Face (look for Block 3 – 04/05). True, she noted that she had proposed that the North Las Vegas police postpone upgrades to their shooting range as one way to save the city some money. However, it was unclear how that small savings would successfully fill the budget hole.

Still, I suppose we should have some sympathy for the mayor’s plight. Her re-election hopes would be dim indeed if she lost the support of the police and firefighter unions–and she might end up sleeping on the couch.

Yet, as her first year as mayor crawls to a close, the jury is still out on the question of whether she is capable of “real leadership” as her campaign materials promised. On the budget, at least, there is a vacuum where the mayor should be, and if she really has a plan to avoid layoffs, then I’m sure everyone would love to hear it. Or, they would have, six months ago when the crisis really came home to roost.

Nonetheless, all members of the council need to take a deep breath and prepare to muddle forward. As amusing as it is to watch our leaders hurl insults at one another, now is a really bad time for them to lose it.

And I suppose none of us should be entirely sure of the outcome of the current fracas. After all, the unions might cave in the face of the layoffs and rush back to the negotiating table with concessions sufficient to avoid many of them. If that is the scheme, then among the four who voted for the layoffs is the sort of leader that would make Machiavelli proud–and give union leaders pause.

As for the pic of the mayor with the senate majority leader, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say: I can’t wait to hear of her endorsement for Harry Reid. I wonder how long I’ll have to wait?

1. Discussion, direction and/or [...]]]> April Fools’ Day will take on a special significance in North Las Vegas this year. That’s because the North Las Vegas city council will be holding an oh, so special meeting on Thursday, April 1 at 6pm over at City Hall to discuss–well, wait. What was on the agenda?

1. Discussion, direction and/or action regarding the budget reduction and realignment process and approval of budget reductions for the current fiscal year and FY2011 totaling $37.3 million.

2. Discussion, direction and/or action regarding the reduction in force process and authorization to the Acting City Manager to begin the reduction in force process and issue all lay-off notices necessary to reduce the budget for the current and future fiscal years.

Oh. It’s Layoff Day!

Well, if you are interested in attending, and I suppose fans of films like the Texas Chainsaw Massacre will especially want to attend, better get there early, cuz a lot of unhappy folks will be there, too.

And I’ve been meaning to write about the Cherchio Townhall, which Shari Bucks’ hubby loaded with unhappy police and firefighters so that pretty much only that faction of the city had their issues addressed. But, I was traumatized by the sight of an awful little robot named “Murphy”–after Robocop, I guess–that went around saying how wonderful the garbage company is and how Mr. Cherchio was its favorite councilperson–all the while plotting to turn us all into human batteries to power the Matrix.

One commentator at the event wondered why in times of fiscal crisis such a horror exists. We were assured that the beast was the product of the garbage company and was in no way created in the North Las Vegas top secret cyborg labs. Still, the question is legitimate: if the garbage monopoly can afford such awful public relations’ monstrosities, then perhaps we can all look forward to a cut in fees as well as an end to any talk of reducing collection service to one day. Oh, and recycling that includes glass.

Still, we may learn something from little Murphy, and that is that the garbage company, including all three of its cerberian LLC heads, will be out to pump money into the city elections next year. No doubt being their favorite city council member will prove useful, especially as the sitting mayor and her hubby’s pals tire of 4-1 votes.